And they seized each other by the neck and by the shoulders, and rolled together on the floor, while Lamme went on with his tidings to Ulenspiegel. Suddenly there appeared on the scene mine host of the tavern of the Bee; and he was followed by seven other men, with whom, however, he apparently had no connexion. As he came in he crowed like a cock and Ulenspiegel whistled like a lark. Then, seeing Ulenspiegel and Lamme still struggling on the floor, he inquired of La Stevenyne who they might be. "Two rascals," she told him, "who ought to be parted from each other instead of being allowed to make all this disturbance ere they are brought to the gallows." "If any one tries to separate us," said Ulenspiegel, "we will make him eat of these paving-stones." "Yes," said Lamme, "we will make him eat these paving-stones!" Then Ulenspiegel whispered something in Lamme's ear. "The innkeeper is come to rescue us." And presently the innkeeper, who must have divined some mystery was afoot, joined the mêlée on the floor with his head down, and Lamme attacked him in the ear with these words: "You have come to rescue us? How will you do it?" The innkeeper made pretence of pulling Ulenspiegel by the ears, but managed to say to him the while, under his breath: "These seven men are on your side ... they are strong men ... butchers.... I must be off ... too well known in the town ... but when I have gone.... 'T is van te beven de klinkaert.... Break up everything...." "I understand," said Ulenspiegel, rising at the same time from the floor and kicking out at the innkeeper. The latter struck Ulenspiegel in his turn and Ulenspiegel said: "You hit hard, my hearty!" "As hard as a hail-storm," said the innkeeper. And quickly seizing the purse from Lamme he handed it back to Ulenspiegel. "You may stand me a drink, you rogue, now you are come into your right mind again." "I'll stand you one, you scandalous scamp," replied Ulenspiegel. "See how insolent he is," said La Stevenyne. "As insolent as you are beautiful," answered Ulenspiegel. Now La Stevenyne was sixty years old at least, and her face was like the fruit of the medlar, but all yellow with bile, and she had a large port-wine stain on her left cheek. When the innkeeper had had his drink, he paid the bill and departed. The seven butchers meanwhile made sundry knowing grimaces at the constables and La Stevenyne. One of them indicated by a gesture that he held Ulenspiegel for a simpleton, and that he would be able to do for him very easily. But all the time that he was putting out his tongue in mockery to La Stevenyne, who herself was grinning and laughing, he whispered in Ulenspiegel's ear: "'T is van te beven de klinkaert--it is time to rattle the glasses." Then, in his ordinary tone of voice, and pointing at the constables: "Gentle Reformer," he said, "we are all on your side. Stand us some food and drink, won't you?"